Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is all these things. We know from the success we had a few years ago in bringing down the number of road fatalities - and we should not forget all the injuries either, many of which are life-changing - that it is never one thing. It is about approaching the issue from five or six different aspects. I agree that road maintenance and improvements are part of that picture but they are only part of it.

The Deputy made a strong case a number of times for educating children in school about road safety and, potentially, even being able to do their theory tests in school, which I think is a good idea but I know people will say back to me that we should not overload the curriculum. I am not sure I am convinced about that.

On the driver test issue, I acknowledge the unacceptable delays at the moment around the country. People are waiting for six months to a year, sometimes, to get their driver test. We will get on top of that. We have hired new driver testers and estimate, by the middle of next year, that the wait time will be back to approximately ten weeks. It will fall between now and then. It is something that we acknowledge needs a lot of work. I am reminded by the Chief Whip who is sitting behind me not to forget to mention that the Moycullen bypass will also be completed this year. Another vastly improved road will open.

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